Ingredient dictionary

Sodium Bicarbonate

Also listed as: Baking Soda, Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate

Sodium bicarbonate is a fine white powder, also known as baking soda. In skincare it mainly adjusts pH and, in scrubs, gently polishes the skin. It is on the label of 8 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: none for most people; check the full product list if your skin reacts easily.

What Sodium Bicarbonate does

Raises and balances product pH
Neutralizes acidic ingredients in formulas
Gently polishes skin in scrubs

Sodium bicarbonate is a white salt. It can be mined as a mineral, but most of it is made by reacting sodium carbonate with carbon dioxide and water. The beauty version is a refined, cosmetic-grade powder.

Formulators use it mainly as a pH adjuster. It can nudge a product toward a skin-friendly range and balance out acidic ingredients. In scrubs, its fine crystals gently polish away dead skin. Because it reacts with acids and releases carbon dioxide, formulators pair it with care. In serums and conditioners it dissolves cleanly and adds little feel of its own.

Good for

Suits people who want a gentle scrub or a conditioner with a steady pH, and it is often well tolerated.

Be careful if

Nothing in particular for most skin types.

Frequently asked questions

Is sodium bicarbonate the same as baking soda?

Yes. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate under a common name. Beauty versions are refined powders for use on skin, so use the product as made rather than kitchen baking soda.

Is sodium bicarbonate safe for sensitive skin?

It is generally well tolerated in the small amounts used in most formulas, but very sensitive skin can react to any abrasive scrub. Patch test first and avoid scrubs on broken or irritated skin.